News

On 31 May 2026, Bulgaria, supported by the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia, requested that the European Commission grant a temporary exemption from the N+2 rule for CAP strategic plans. These countries argue that escalating energy and fertiliser costs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical instability are hindering beneficiaries’ ability to invest and fulfill commitments. Greece, Romania, and Croatia echoed support, while Italy, France, and Austria called for maintaining budgetary discipline and better use of existing flexibilities. Lithuania and Latvia cautioned against weakening the rules. Commissioner Hansen noted that a blanket change would be difficult but stressed that the legal framework already allows for exceptions in force majeure or exceptional circumstances. He also referenced new flexible tools proposed in the Fertiliser Action Plan.

On 24 May 2026, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development published a study outlining increasing pressures on EU agriculture. The report, titled "Changing farming and farming systems", highlights the impact of climate change, demographic challenges, and new regulatory demands. It warns that adaptation has been too slow relative to these systemic problems, requiring far-reaching structural changes. The study underlines risks such as declining wheat and maize yields—potentially 3–10% lower for each degree of warming—and predicts that summer water shortages could render some crops unsustainable in southern Europe. Additionally, the workforce is aging: in 2020, less than 7% of farmers were under 35. The authors call for regionally targeted policies and long-term strategies to cope with the combined pressures on European agriculture.
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At the AGRIFISH Council meeting in Brussels on 26 May 2026, EU agriculture ministers will focus on the availability and affordability of fertilisers, with the European Commission presenting its new Fertiliser Action Plan. The meeting will highlight efforts to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy in fertiliser production, farmers’ support, and food system resilience in response to rising prices and global trade pressures. Ministers will also review international trade developments, including key disputes and new agreements. Discussion items include Slovakia’s drought, Lithuania’s dairy crisis, systemic agricultural pressures in Austria, France and Italy, and the inclusion of soya in the ILUC methodology. Further topics are the reformation of organic production, rules for sustainable forest management, and Bulgaria’s CAP exemption request. In fisheries, the Czech Republic will propose an EU-wide approach to the impact of fish predators.
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On 17 May 2026, Irish MEP Maria Walsh (EPP) put forward a report recommending that at least 10% of the CAP budget for 2028-2034 be dedicated to young farmers, responding to a sharp reduction in young farm managers and an ageing workforce in agriculture. Walsh suggests low-interest loans, blended financial instruments, and robust risk management as support measures, while highlighting concerns over potential post-2027 CAP budget cuts and an existing €14.1 billion funding gap. She identifies land access as the biggest barrier and calls for a European Land Market Observatory and enhanced mechanisms for farm transfers. The report also underlines mental health, generational renewal, and strengthening women's roles in agriculture. COMAGRI will discuss the report on 2 June 2026.

Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July 2026, focusing on key agricultural topics such as livestock production, post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, Common Market Organisation reform, and organic farming. The Irish Presidency will prioritize discussions on a forthcoming EU Livestock Production Strategy, due for presentation by the European Commission on 7 July 2026, and the Fertiliser Action Plan set for 19 May 2026. Major events include the first AGRIFISH Council meeting under the Irish Presidency on 13-14 July and an informal meeting in Dublin on 6-8 September, both centering on sustainable agriculture and livestock issues. Negotiations are ongoing for the chairmanship of the Special Committee on Agriculture, with Paul Savage the likely interim leader.